Windows and doors are areas where most homeowners will likely detect something is going wrong. Our infrared camera will be able to confirm and pinpoint the problem so the homeowner can resolve issues and eliminate potential energy loss.
The condition of insulation is difficult to evaluate visually because most of it is hidden behind drywall. By using thermal imaging, a home inspector can find areas where insulation is missing, sagging, wet, or damaged. If a panel of drywall is not showing a consistent color on the infrared image, this often means there are problems with the insulation.
Abnormal heating associated with high resistance or excessive current flow thermal imaging inspection reveals aluminum wiring over heatings the main cause of many problems in electrical systems. Infrared thermography allows us to see these invisible thermal signatures of impending damage before it occurs. If there is abnormally high resistance in the circuit or unusual high current flow, high heat is generated which is wasteful, and potentially dangerous. Infrared electrical inspections find hot spots caused by defects in connections and components. Because increased heating is a sign of failure, infrared is the best diagnostic tool available for finding these hot connections in the early stages of degeneration.
Water leaks from the plumbing system often leak undetected until major damage has occurred. We can scan in, under, and around plumbing fixtures in the home to determine if there is active leaking going on. Since this tool is not a moisture meter we will use it to find heat anomalies and then pursue the issue further to attempt to determine the source and cause of the leak. The resulting Thermal Image Scan report can be a great aid for the repair plumber hired to address the identified issues.
Significant wood destroying insect activity can be discovered during the inspection using this technology due to the heat generated by active infestations. That’s right, termites, carpenter ants wasps activity produces a great deal of heat that is often visible to the infrared camera.
Rodents and other wildlife might create nests that can be detected, or might have damaged walls or moved insulation and created cold spots that can be seen in thermal. Nocturnal animals that emerge at night can also be tracked with thermal imaging, which works in complete darkness.
Thermal imaging is a great tool that helps to identify water damage in walls, floors, and ceilings. By detecting the difference in temperature between a wet area and the surrounding dry areas thermal imaging can help detect moisture issues that would not be visible during a limited visual home inspection. It is also great at identifying areas where the insulation contractor failed to insulate adequately.
Fireplace and chimney flues have to have direct access to the outside environment to function correctly. When a homeowner understands how much air leakage is taking place at these points, they can either repair or prepare for extreme weather conditions to prevent discomfort or energy loss.
Thermal image scanning has greatly improved our ability to perform stucco and EIFS moisture intrusion inspections. If there is rot behind the stucco it is often visible with thermal imaging in the form of heat anomalies. Thermal image scanning also helps to quantify the affected areas of moisture damage. By adding this tool to our stucco inspections we have been able to better identify where the trouble areas are that need repair.
